Parenteral glutamine has what effect on mucosal atrophy during bowel rest?

• A. It increases atrophy.
• B. It has no effect.
• C. It decreases atrophic changes.
• D. It worsens mucosal integrity.

Answer: (C)

Enterocytes rely on glutamine as a primary fuel, especially when the gut lumen isn’t delivering nutrients during bowel rest. Providing glutamine parenterally supplies a key energy source and substrate for nucleotide and protein synthesis, helping to keep mucosal cells alive, maintain villus structure, and preserve tight junctions. This supports the mucosal barrier and reduces the degree of atrophy that would otherwise occur with disuse of the gut. So, parenteral glutamine decreases atrophic changes in the bowel during rest.